DHCS Letter Approves Using MHSA to fund Laura’s Law

In this 2016 letter (MHSUDS INFORMATION NOTICE NO.: 16-034) from California Department of Health Care Services (CDHCS) , it informs counties that they are allowed to use MHSA funds for Laura’s Law.

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State of California—

Health and Human Services Agency

DATE: July 20, 2016

MHSUDS INFORMATION NOTICE NO.: 16-034

TO: COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIRECTORS

COUNTY DRUG & ALCOHOL ADMINISTRATORS

COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AGENCIES

COALITION OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ASSOCIATIONS

CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF ALCOHOL & DRUG PROGRAM EXECUTIVES, INC.

CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES

SUBJECT: Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Use of Funds for Crisis Services

The purpose of this Information Notice is to clarify that counties may use (MHSA) funds to provide crisis stabilization services to adults and older adults regardless of their voluntary or involuntary legal status.

Existing law permits counties to use MHSA funds to provide crisis stabilization services to clients on a voluntary or involuntary basis. (Welfare & Institutions Code (W&I), § 5801, subd. (b)(5); Cal. Code Regs., tit. 9, § 3400, subd. (b)(2); see also W&I §§ 5805, 5600.4, 5600.6, 5600.7.) Specifically, W&I Section 5801(b)(5) states that clients in an Adult and Older Adult System of Care program should volunteer for all treatment unless the client is a danger to self or others or grave disability requires temporary involuntary treatment. California Code of Regulations, title 9, Section 3400(b)(2) further states that no person shall be denied access to programs and services provided with MHSA funds, which includes Full Service Partnership and General System Development programs, based solely on their voluntary or involuntary status. These provisions allow counties to use MHSA funds to provide crisis stabilization services to clients on a voluntary or involuntary basis.

Should you have any questions, please contact Donna Ures at donna.ures@dhcs.ca.gov or

(916) 324-0401.

Sincerely,

Original signed by

Karen Baylor, Ph.D., LMFT, Deputy Director

Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Services

Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Services

1501 Capitol Avenue, MS 4000, P.O. Box 997413

Sacramento, CA 95899-7413

Phone: (916) 440-7800 Fax: (916) 319-8219

Internet Address: www.dhcs.ca.gov

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